The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the world’s leading research institutions, and Europe’s flagship laboratory for the life sciences.

EMBL locations

EMBL operates from six sites across Europe:

• Heidelberg, Germany - main laboratory
• Hinxton, UK - European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI)
• Grenoble, France - research and services for structural biology
• Hamburg, Germany - research and services for structural biology
• Rome, Italy - epigenetics and neurobiology
• Barcelona, Spain - tissue biology and disease modelling

Governance of EMBL

EMBL is an intergovernmental organisation specialising in basic research in the life sciences, funded by public research monies from more than 25 member states, including much of Europe and Israel, and one associate member, Australia. EMBL is led by the Director General, currently Professor Edith Heard, appointed by the governing body, EMBL Council. The Council is comprised of representatives of all member and associate member states.

EMBL’s missions

The cornerstones of EMBL's mission are to:

• perform basic research in molecular biology;
• train scientists, students and visitors at all levels;
• offer vital services to scientists in the member states;
• develop new instruments and methods;
• actively engage in technology transfer;
• and to integrate European life science research.

Research at EMBL

Research at EMBL emphasises experimental analysis at multiple levels of biological organisation, from the molecule to the organism, as well as computational biology, bioinformatics and systems biology.

Research is conducted by more than 80 independent groups covering the spectrum of molecular biology. EMBL is international, innovative and interdisciplinary. Its more than 1700 employees from many nations represent scientific disciplines including biology, physics, chemistry and computer science.